A recent study from Michigan State University finds that mowing lawns during certain points of the summer helps the declining monarch butterfly population.
The study said that mowing milkweed at key times may help increase the monarch butterfly population.
Monarch populations have been declining. Experts said changes in pesticides and farming practices are a factor. The study focused on how ecological disturbances can help monarchs population survive.
Nate Haan is one of the authors of the study. He said mowing helps create a safer environment for monarch eggs.
“Monarchs will lay more eggs on the newly growing stems than on the older stuff. And when we knocked back milkweed that way the predatory insects and spiders that are often on those milkweed stems and that would eat eggs and caterpillars are much less abundant for several weeks.”
Haan said monarch’s favorite food, milkweed, used to be abundant in Michigan. The introduction of pesticides like glyphosate, which is often used on farm crops, kills off milkweed.
He said milkweed can commonly be found in parks, alongside roadways, and even in your own backyard.
Haan said mowing milkweed in mid-June and mid-July could help increase the monarch butterfly population.